Electrical translating device



` 1927. July 5 L. o. csRoNDm-u..l

ELECTRICAL TRNSLATING DEVICE Filed June 29, 1923 W m o w J .n n m J w w L mama- .my vs, 1921. y

UNITED STATES PATENT `FFICE.y

Lm O. GBONDAHL, Ol' PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB T0 THB 'UNION SWITCH t SIGNAL COIPANY, F BWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION Ol' rmsnvmm..

ELECTRICAL TBANSLATING DEVICE.

Application med June $9, 1928. Serial No. 648,458.

My invention relates to electrical translating apparatus.

The present application is a contlnuatlon of my copending application filed on the 8th l dayof July, 1921, Serial No. 483,180, for

electrical relays, in so far as the subject matter common to the two is concerned.

I will describe several'forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then lo point out the ,novel features thereof 1n claims.

ln the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 1s a view, partly diagrammatic and partly in cross-section, showing one form of translating apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing a modified form of Secondary circuit which ,may be used with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmental view in crosssection and on an enlarged scale, showing a modification of a portion of the translating device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but showing another modifcation of a portion 'of the translating de- 2.5 vice of Fig. 1. Fig; 5 is a view showing a modification of the translating device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective View showing a base adapted to receive the translating devices shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the apparatus includes a translatin device, shown here as functioning as a re ay, which device is des# ignated as a Whole by the reference character R. This device comprises a glass bulb 7, within which is alight-emitting element H. As here shown this element is a fine wire filament the terminals of which .are connected with contacts 9 and 12. Surrounding the bulb 7 is an inner tube-shaped electrode 10 of electro-conductive material so formed as to obstruct only a portion of the light rays emitted bythe filament H. This electrode may be in the form of a perorated metallic tube, such as a rid or a metallic gauze, or it may be of t in sheet metal which has sufficient cross-sectional area to carry the secondary current and which at the same time is capable of transmitting a. considerable portion of the light emitted by the filament H. As shown in the drawing this e'lectrode is in the form of a grid. Surrounding the electrode 10 is an envelope E of a substance .having the characteristic of varying in electrical resistance in response to variations in the intensit of the light vto which it is exposed, and w ich I will term the li ht-sensitive substance.

One example of a su stance of this nature is selenium, the electrical resistance of which decreases with increase in the intensity of light, although I do not desire to limit myself to this particular substance. The lightsensitive substance E is surroundedby a second or outer tube-shaped electrode 11, also of electro-conductive material. electrode l() is electrically connected with a contact 9 by a Wire 13, and the outer electrode 11 is connected by a Wire 14 with a contact 12.

The filament H is included in a primary circuit which comprises a source of current and means for controlling or modifying the flow of current in the filament. As here shown, the primary circuit passes from a battery B, through wire 21, switch S, wire 22, contact 20, contact 9, filament H, contact 12, contact 19, and wire 23 to battery B.

The lightsensitive substance E is included in a secondary circuit which also in cludes a source of current which as here` shown is a batteryBS, and an electro-responsive device which as here shown is an electric lamp L. This secondary circuit passes from the battery BS, through Wire24, contact 19a, contact 12, Wire 14, outer electrode 11, light-sensitive substance E, inner electrode 10, Wire 13, contact 9", contact 20a, Wire 25 and lamp L to battery BSL As here shown, the contacts 9 and 12 are included in a plug 8 which is attached to one end of the bulb 7, Whereas the contacts 9'* and 12.are included in a similar plug 8El which is attached tothe other end of the bulb. The contacts 19, 20, 19a and 20",L are in the form of spring contact fingers attached to a base 2 as shown in Fig. 5, and the outside Wires of the primary and secondary circuits are connected with these fingers. It will be seen that with this construction the bulb 7 can readily be a plied to and removed from the base 2, and that when it is in lace on the base the contact members 12 an 19, 20 and 9, 12a and 19, 20'* and 9 are all in electrical engagement.

The inner Fi 1 is as follows:

, E is so high that the current, if any 4fiows in the secondary circuit from en the switch 'S is o n, as shown in fulllines in the drawing, t e supply of cur- A rent to the filament H is discontinued, so that this filament and the light-sensitive substance E are dark. Under this condition the resistance of the light-sensitive substance which battery Bs is not sufficient to light the lamp L. When, however, the switch S is closed so that current is su plied to the filament H. from the battery g3, this filament becomes heated to incandescence and in turn supplies li ht rays to the light-sensitive substance E. Tie resistance of the substance E is then reduced to s'uchpvalue that the current which flows in the secondary circuit from battery 4Bs is of sufficient magnitude to light the lamp L. When switch S is again opened the filament H and the light-sensitive element E again become dark, so that 'lamp L becomes extinguished. t

In the modification shown iii Fig. 2 the secondary circuit is supplied with alternating current instead of with direct current as in Fig. 1. Alternating current from a source not shown in the drawing is supplied to the primary of a transformer T which is. preferabl of the step-up type, and the circuit for t e secondary of this transformer includes the li ht-sensitive substance E of relay R (Fig. 1% and the primary of another transformer Tl which is preferably of the step-down type. Lamp L is supplied with current from -the secondary of transformer T. The parts are so proportioned that when the light-sensitive substance E is dark the current if any which is supplied to lamp L is not suicient to light the lamp, but that when the light-sensitive substance is lighted its resistance is decreased to such value that suicient current is supplied to the lamp to cause it to be lighted.

The advantage of roviding the stei-up and step-down trans ormers T and 2 is that the amount of current which the lightsensitive substance E must carry is coinparatively small, and yet this substance is able to control the supply of a comparatively large amount of current to the lam L.

When the inner electrode 10 is in the ormv of a perforated conductor, such as gauze or a grid, this electrode will not be in electrical contact with all points on the inner surface of the light-sensitive substance E, and so the eiiiciency of the device will not be maximum. If desirable, the efficiency may be increased by the modification shown in Fi 3, wherein a tube-like member 15 of lig t-transmitting electro-conductive material, such as thin gold leaf, is interposed between the elctrode 10 and the light-sensitive substance E. This tube or sleeve 15,

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which may be termed an auxilia inner electrode, will in leffect place the main inner electrode 10 in electrical contact with substantially the entire inner surface of substance E, and so will increase the eiiciency of the device to a maximum.

In Figs. 1 and 3 the inner electrode 10 is perforated to secure the desired light transmission. The sameresult may be accomlished by .making this electrode of n thin ight-transmitting (semi-transparent) electro-conductive material such as gold leaf, and this construction is illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the inner electrode is designated \10.

When certain liglit-sensitive substances are operated in air, a change may occur in the nature of the substance and so in its characteristics. Any such change may be avoided by operating the substances in vacuo or in a as havin no effect on the substance. In ig. 5 I rhave shown a device R so constructed as to erinit operation of the light-sensitive su stance under either of these conditions. In this view, the two electrodes 1 0 and 11- with the light-sensitive substance E between them, are located within the bulb -7 instead of on the outer surface ofthe bulb as in Fig. l. These members may be supported in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of loo is 16 welded to the bulb. The filament passes from contact 9 through the inner electrode 10 to a heavier wire 30 which returns outside of the outer electrode 11 to the contact 12. This filament and wire 30 are supported b one or more tie wires 17 which are seale in the bulb. The bulb 7 may be a rece tacle from which the air has been evacuate to a very low pressure, or this bulb may be filled with a gas which has -no effect on the light-sensitive substance E, such for example, as nitrogen, argon or helium. In some instances a small amount of oxygen may be added to this gas to prevent discharge of o gen from the lightsensitive lsubstance when the device is first put into service. v

It is, of course, obvious that the inner' electrode 10 and the light-sensitive substance E in Fig. 3 may, if desirable, be more intimately connected by an auxiliary inner electrode as in Fi. 3.

The device of Fig. 5 may be substituted for the device R in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and the o ration of the apparatus will be as explained hereinbefore.

vOne important feature of the device shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 is the tube-like form of the light-sensitive substance E, whereby this substance is ex osed to a very large reportion of the lig t rays emitted by t e filament H.

Another important feature of the devices shown in the present application is the pro- .controlled circuit in which the electrodes 10 and 11 are included terminates in the spring contact fingers which are designed to receive the plug 8f. This construction greatly facilitates the insertion of the device in the apparatus with which it-is associated as well as the removal of the device therefrom.. The two 'plu s 8 and 8n may be of diierent sizes, as s own in the drawings, andl the spring contact fingers at the two ends of the base 2 may be differently` spaced tor correspond to the two plugs, in

order to prevent wrong connection of the device in the circuits with which it is associated.

While I have shown only a single circuit controlled by one light-sensitive unit, it will be readilyseen that more than one may be controlled and also that a single filament may act upon more than one light-sensitive device.

Also while I have shown two batteries in Fig. 1 it will be understood that in many cases a single battery may be emplo ed and in general the circuits may be varie to suit conditions Without departing' from my invention.

Although I have herein shown and described only certain orms of a paratus embodying my invention, it is un erstood -that various Ichanges and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the al pended claims without departing from they spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what` I claim is:

1. An electrical relay comprisin two spaced tube-like electrodes one within the other, a substance inte osed between said electrodes and having t e characteristic of varying its resistance in response to variations in the amount of light to which it is exposed, and a source of light located within the inner electrode, the inner electrode being capable of retaining said substance and transmitting light to it.

2. An electrical rela comprisin 'two spaced tube-like electro es one within the other, the inner electrode being perforated, a substance interposed between said electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its resistance in response to variations in the amount of light to which it is exposed, and a source of light located within the inner electrode.

3. An electrical relay comprising two spaced electrodes one of which is perforated, a substance interposed between said electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its registance in `response to variations in the .amount of 1i ht to which it is exposed, and a source of ight so located as to,illu

minate said substance through the perforations of the said one electrode.

4. An electrical relay comprising two spaced electrodes one of which is perforated, a substance interposed between said electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its resistance in response to .variations in the amount of light to which it is exposed, an. auxiliar electrode of semi-transparent electro-con uctive material between said one electrode and said substance, and a source of light so located as to illuminate said substance through the perforations in said one electrode and through said auxiliary electrode.

5; An electrical relay comprising two spaced tube-like electrodes one withm the other, the inner electrode being perforated, a substance interposed between said electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its resistance in response to variations 1n the amount of light to which it is exposed, an auxiliary tube-like electrode of semitransparent electro-conductive material between saidl main inner electrode and said substance, and a source of light located within said inner electrode.

6. An electrical relay comprising a bulb provided with two terminal lugseach having two contact members, a glament located within said bulb and having its terminals connected with the two contact members respectively of one plug, two electrodes mounted on said bulb and connected with the two contact members respectively of the other plu and a substance interposed between sai electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its resistance in response to variations in the amount of light to which itis exposed.

7. An electrical relay comprising a bulb provided with two terminal plugs each hav- -ing two contact members, a filament located within said bulb and having its-terminals connected with the two contact members respectively of one plug, two tube-like electrodes mounted on said bulb one within the other and connected respectively with the two contact members of the other plug, the inner electrode being so constructed as to obst-ruct only a portion of the light emitted by said filament, and a substance interposed between said electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its resistance in response to variations in the amount of light to which it is exposed.

8. Ain/electrical relay comprising a bulb provided with two terminal plugs each having two contact members, a filament located Within said bulb and having its terminals connected with the two contact members respectively of one plug, two tube-like electrodes mounted on said bulb one within the other, and connected respectively with the two contact members of the other plug, the` inner electrode being perforated, a substance interposed between said electrodes und having the characteristic of varying its resistance in response to variations in the amount ot light to which it is exposed, and an auxiliary inner electrode ot' semi-transparent electro-conductive material between said substance and said perforated electrode.

9. A device comprising a bulb provided with two terminal plugs each having two contact members, a light-emitting element located within said bulb and having its terminals connected with the two contact members respectively of one plug, two electrodes mounted within said bulb and connected respectively with the two contact members of the other plug, and a substance interposed between said electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its resistance in response to variations in the amount of light to which it is exposed.

10. A device comprising a bulb provided with two terminal plugs each having two contact members, a light-emitting element located within said bulb and having its terminals connected with the two contact members respectively of one plug, two electrodes located within said bulb and connected respectively with the two contact vmembers of the other lug, and a substance interposed between said electrodes and having the characteristic of varying its resistance in `-respouse to variations in the amount of light to which it is exposed, said bulb containing a gas which has no effect on said light-sensitive substance. -V

11. An electrical device comprising two spaced electrodes one within the other, the inner electrode being perforatedfa lightsensitive Substance interposed between said electrodes, an auxiliary electrode of semitransparent electro-conductive material between said substance and said perforated electrode, and a light emitting element so located as to transmit light rays to said substance through the perforations in said one electrode and through said auxiliary elec- 50 trode.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

LARS O. GRONDAHL. 

